The materials were said to be for the purposes of scientific research at a university in the north. Already, Iraq has sought the UN’s assistance to ” … stave off the threat of their use by terrorists in Iraq or abroad.”

Roughly 40 kilograms of uranium compounds were stored at the University of Mosul, according to Iraq’s UN ambassador Mohamed Ali Alhakim.

“Terrorist groups have seized control of nuclear material at the sites that came out of the control of the state.”

Alhakim also wrote that such materials ” … can be used in manufacturing weapons of mass destruction.” He also urges that the materials could be smuggled outside the country.

Alhakim continued in the letter:

“The Republic of Iraq is notifying the international community of these dangerous developments and asking for help and the needed support to stave off the threat of their use by terrorists in Iraq or abroad.”

Though the materials are not believed to be enriched uranium, it is merely more difficult to create weapons out of the materials stolen, not impossible.

“It also provides for expanded cooperation between and among states regarding rapid measures to locate and recover stolen or smuggled nuclear material, mitigate any radiological consequences of sabotage, and prevent and combat related offences.”

UN ambassador Alhakim begged for help from the international community in his letter to the Secretary-General:

“The Government of Iraq requests the States Members of the United Nations to understand the current inability of Iraq, owing to deterioration of the security situation, to fulfill its obligations to destroy chemical weapons.”

The hunt for nuclear materials is on in Iraq and if folks don’t act fast, before you know it America will be whistling “weapons of mass destruction” all over again.